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Now on CLOCC.net: New Perspectives on Childhood Obesity Trends Emphasize Importance of Prevention Efforts
By Adam Becker, PhD, MPH, Executive Director, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children
Current trends in childhood obesity have been in the news lately. In 2014, the CDC issued a report, based on research from its National Center for Health Statistics, concluding that obesity prevalence was leveling off for most kids and even declining for the youngest age group. You may have heard people saying that obesity rates had plateaued. A number of cities and communities were highlighted as having downward trends in childhood obesity and it was assumed that these local trends were contributing  to the plateau at the national level. Here in Chicago, CLOCC reported a downward trend from 2003-2004 to 2009-2010 among children entering school. Chicago Public School data from 2011-2012 and 2013-14, analyzed and published by CDPH, has confirmed the slight, but significant, downward trend.
However, this April, an article appeared in the journal Obesity stating that previously-documented downward national trends were overstated and that "there is no evidence of a decline in obesity prevalence in any age group, despite substantial clinical and policy efforts targeting the issue." So, what to make of this discrepancy?
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fiveSMART Debuts with First Training and Online Resources
A full house showed up to the new YMCA of Metro Chicago facility on Tuesday, April 19, to take part in the first-ever fiveSMART(TM) training, centered around CLOCC's new health message for pregnancy and for infants and toddlers. fiveSMART provides the knowledge and resources to engage in obesity-prevention at the earliest opportunity as research has shown even prenatal factors can affect obesity in childhood and beyond.
Following the training, an online resource center for fiveSMART was launched at CLOCC.net. Click below to visit the page. Here you will find campaign details as well as the entry point for downloading the fiveSMART flyers within the guidelines outlined on the website. Please watch the newsletter or check the calendar at CLOCC.net for future training opportunities.
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Policy Update: SNAP Double-Value Program Advances; Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill Raises National Concerns
A bill designed to double the value of SNAP benefits for Illinois residents who are sourcing food at farmers' markets was successfully passed through the State House of Representatives on Friday, April 22, in a unanimous vote. The Healthy Local Foods Incentives Fund (HB 6027) calls for a $1M state investment to support "Double Value Coupon Programs," creating affordable access to healthy food at farmers markets and other direct producer-to-consumer venues for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This has the potential to positively impact upwards of 2 million SNAP users, as well as the local food merchants. The bill was introduced to the State Senate on Monday, April 25, where it added Senator Don Harmon (D, 39th District) as a Chief Senate Sponsor. The bill is currently awaiting assignment to a Senate committee. Contact your local Senator to express support for this measure, or watch CLOCC.net for advocacy opportunities.
On the National level, while U.S. Senate remains stalled in efforts to finalize a Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) bill, the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education of the House Education and Workforce Committee, recently introduced a House CNR bill, the Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016 (H.R. 5003). Following an analysis, CLOCC is among the numerous public health organizations concerned about the rolling back of progress that would happen if the House version were signed into law, including the potential to weaken access to school meal programs by raising the threshold of the Community Eligibility Provision from 40 to 60 percent, increase school meal application verification requirements, and prevent schools from contacting families more than twice to encourage them to participate in the school meal programs. CLOCC"s Blueprint for Accelerating Progress in Childhood Obesity Prevention in Chicago cites access to school meals with strong nutrition standards as a key tactic for addressing the childhood obesity crisis. Additionally, one of CLOCC's recently-introduced 2016-2020 Policy Priorities is to "expand participation by schools and childcare institutions in national school lunch and hild and adult care food programs and advocate for improved nutrition standards in federally-funded food programs." We encourage CLOCC partners to closely monitor H.R. 5003 and to support resources for school nutrition when advocacy opportunities arise.
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Childhood Obesity in the News
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About CLOCC
The Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC) is a nationally recognized leader for community-based obesity prevention. We support, coordinate, and unite partners to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children and families. Our multi-sector approach emerged in Chicago and can be adapted for use anywhere.
225 E. Chicago Ave., Box 157 Chicago, IL 60611 312-227-7100 www.clocc.net
[email protected] |
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Healthy Chicago 2.0 Information Sessions Begin Wednesday
The Chicago Department of Public Healthy (CDPH) will host a series of public forums for community leaders and the general public to learn about
Healthy Chicago 2.0, discuss community needs and explore implementation strategies. The first event is slated for Wednesday, May 4. CDPH staff will be on hand and feedback will be incorporated into the upcoming rollout plan for Healthy Chicago 2.0. CLOCC partners are encouraged to attend!
For more information, visit cityofchicago.org/health 
Event Listing
May 4: Center on Halstead,
3656 N. Halstead St., 5PM
May 5: Metropolitan Family Services, 235 E103rd St., 5:30PM
May 11th: Little Village Lawndale High School,
3120 S. Kostner Ave., 5PM
May 16th: By the Hand,
415 N. Laramie Ave, 6PM
May 18th: Asian Health Coalition and Chinese American Service League, 2141 S.Tan Ct, 5:30PM
May 25th, Hamilton Park,
513 72nd St., 6PM
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The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition has announced a funding opportunity - Enhance Physical Education with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program. "Schools and districts can apply now to receive resources to enhance implementation of the nation's youth fitness education and assessment program. Eligible schools and districts (10 or more schools) can receive up to $1,000 in resources including software, student recognition items and more. Let's Move! Active Schools that have completed their school assessment are eligible to receive up to $2,000 in resources. (applications will be considered until funds are exhausted. |
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